Baptism is not a mere symbol of rebirth. It is not a choice or a prize for attaining a certain amount of faith.

Lutheranism 101: HOLY BAPTISM gives an overview of what Baptism is, what it does, how it does it, and what it means for our lives now and into the future. Throughout, it emphasizes that the One doing the baptizing makes all the difference. Like the original book, Lutheranism 101: Baptism will never get too far away from the reality that it is all about Jesus.

Each chapter concludes with several questions that can be used to further the study and the discussion about the material. For those who may be leading a group discussion based upon the chapter, and for those individuals who want to check their answers against the author’s comments, click here for a free downloadable Leader Guide.

For those who want to use Lutheranism 101 for Kids as a teaching resource, we’re offering these free downloadable extras to help groups, families, and individuals dig deeper into Lutheran theology:

Leader’s Guide – a simple tool for reviewing the book and sparking discussion. Includes key points, related Scripture passages, and open-ended questions for each section.

Workbook – an expanded tool for building teaching units around each section in Lutheranism 101 for Kids, the Workbook explores connections being made. Includes questions and answers intended to further comprehension and application.

The church has always taught that the body and blood of Christ are truly received in and under the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. The bread and the wine do not loose their natural substance but remain bread and wine. In the Sacrament Christ gives us His true body and true blood not just in a spiritual sense, as if the bread and wine are only a sign or figure of Christ’s body that has ascended to heaven. But as Christ says, His body and blood are received orally in the eating and the drinking. Even unworthy persons, hypocrites, or unbelievers receive Christ’s body and blood, not just those who believe His words. For this reason, those who despise or reject Christ’s words receive the Sacrament to their hurt and damnation. In this sacramental meal believers receive the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, as the words “given and shed for you for the remission of sins” promise. Whoever believes it has what these words declare and bring: His merits, righteousness, and forgiveness. Instructive is Small Catechism VI 5–8, and Large Catechism V 28–32, 33–36, 69–72.

This book introduces readers to three other books: the Bible, the Small Catechism by Martin Luther, and the hymnal Lutheran Service Book. In these pages, you’ll find out how important each of these books can be for growing in faith. It gives students a quick, useable, and comprehensive overview of the Lutheran faith and practice.

Lutheranism 101 books give you usable and comprehensive overviews of what Lutherans believe and teach. These beliefs rest upon the foundational discussions of who God is, who man is, and who Jesus is. Along the way, and because faith does not happen in isolation, the series also presents how this faith is confessed in what Lutherans do, both in their corporate practice and in their personal piety.

Lutheranism 101

After the release of the original Lutheranism 101 book, numerous questions, comments, and suggestions were received, focusing on the meeting point between faith and practice. The Lutheranism 101 series grew out of this correspondence. Each book in the series picks one topic and explores the basics of the Lutheran teaching in that area. The author also explores practice in that area, the understanding being that one necessarily informs the other.

The very title, Lutheranism 101, points forward to learning and building up of the Christian faith through study and by participation in the Divine Service. Lutheranism 101 encourages the use (and, dare we say, acquisition) of the basic resources for a Christian’s study and growth: a Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, a hymnal, and ultimately, the Lutheran Confessions.

A Time of Growth

Jesus told His disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We are grafted into Jesus and made a branch of the Vine by the power of the Spirit in Holy Baptism. We stay connected to Jesus, our Vine, by hearing the preaching of God’s Word and by receiving Absolution and the Lord’s Supper. This is how our life in Christ grows: by the power of the Spirit working in our hearts through Word and Sacrament.

Altar with green paraments for the Sundays after Pentecost

The Sundays after Pentecost make up the longest portion of the Church Year. This is the Time of the Church–the time we focus on growing together in the life of the Holy Trinity.

How We Worship on the Sundays after Pentecost

During the Sundays after Pentecost we . . .

. . . decorate the church with the color green.

Green is the color for the season after Pentecost. Green is the color of growing plants and life. As growing plants need water and nourishment, so we can only grow by living in our Baptisms and receiving the Lord’s Word and Sacraments.

. . . focus on the teachings of the Lord for His Church.

In this half of the year, the Time of the Church, we focus on the life of Christ in His Church as He guides us to grow in “faith toward [God] and in fervent love toward one another.” (Post Communion Collect)

Jesus Teaches His Disciples

If you abide in My word,you are truly My disciples,
and you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

The appointed Gospels for the Sundays after Pentecost are full of Jesus’ teachings, such as His parable, words of wisdom, and debates with the Pharisees. We also hear the Word of the prophets (Old Testament), who are inspired by the Spirit to foretell Jesus’ coming, a the word of the apostles (Epistle), sent forth by Jesus to preach in the power of the Spirit. The Time of the Church is a time to grow in godly knowledge. Through His Word, Jesus is still making disciples of all those who will follow Him.

Seeing the crowds,He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them. . . Matthew 5:1-2

Excerpted from–
Ordering Our Days in His Peace:
An Introduction to the Christian Church Year
by Heath R. Curtisavailable from Concordia Publishing House • cph.org

For details about the book, and to pre-order, click here! We will be adding helpful resources when the book is available.

The author, Rev. Kenneth Wieting, has served parishes in Wisconsin for nearly 30 years. God has blessed him and his wife, Barbara, with five children.

Rev. Wieting has given numerous presentations on the Lord’s Supper. His interest in the topic grew from question a layman asked several years ago. The scriptural, confessional, and historical materials studied since then gave Rev. Wieting a fuller understanding of the treasures of the Lord’s Supper. It is this understanding that he seeks to convey in his writings and through presentations.